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Gary Gilliam pushes a giant truck tire during the 2012 Lift fot Life. The 2013 event will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 12 at Penn State Lacrosse Field.

Image: Patrick Mansell

'Lift for Life' benefitting Kidney Cancer Association set for Friday

July 9, 2013

'Lift for Life' benefitting Kidney Cancer Association set for Friday

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- One of the signature summer events in Central Pennsylvania, the Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes "Lift For Life," is set for 5-7 p.m. on Friday, July 12 on the University Park campus.

The 11th Annual Penn State Lift For Life will again feature the Nittany Lion offense taking on the defense in a series of competitions to benefit the Kidney Cancer Association. The popular event will be held during the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in State College and take place at the outdoor Penn State Lacrosse Field next to the multi-sport facility.

More than 80 football squad members are expected participate in the Penn State Lift For Life and will be available for an autograph session immediately after the event on the Lacrosse Field.

Backpacks, bags, and purses will not be permitted at Lift For Life and at all Penn State home athletic events this fall. One clear one-gallon plastic bag per person will be permitted for items required for medical and/or child care needs. All items are subject to inspection.

Senior guard Eric Shrive, President of Penn State's Uplifting Athletes chapter, said that the squad members will be competing in seven events simultaneously. For the second consecutive year, the offensive linemen will square off against the defensive linemen, the running backs and tight ends will meet the linebackers and the quarterbacks and wide receivers will clash with the defensive backs.

The competitions will include an obstacle course, sand bag stack, sled pull and push, shuttle run and and finish with a tug of war.

"Coach (Bill) O'Brien and Coach Fitz (strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald) have embraced Lift For Life and the impact this event can have in assisting kidney cancer patients and their families," Shrive said. "I hope all our fans will come out and support us and this great cause."

Over its initial 10 years, the Penn State Lift For Life has grown tremendously. Again last year, more than 80 Nittany Lion football student-athletes tested their strength and endurance in the challenge that raised a record total for kidney cancer awareness and assistance - more than $110,000. Founded by Penn State football teammates, the Penn State Chapter of Uplifting Athletes has raised more than $700,000 for the Kidney Cancer Association since the first Penn State Lift For Life in 2003.

Shrive has personally raised in excess of $75,000 for the Penn State Lift For Life during his career and has set a goal of exceeding $100,000 before this weekend ends.

Lift For Life is open to the public with a suggested donation $10 for adults and $5 for student attendees to benefit the Kidney Cancer Association.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved eight new therapies for the treatment of kidney cancer in the U.S. since the first Lift For Life in 2003. The Kidney Cancer Association has credited the Penn State Lift For Life as being a catalyst for the new treatments, according to Scott Shirley, Uplifting Athletes Executive Director.

Founded by Penn State Football teammates Scott Shirley, Dave Costlow and Damone Jones in 2003, Lift For Life has continued to build awareness and raise funds for the Kidney Cancer Association. The event is organized by Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes, whose members are on the Penn State football team, led this year by Shrive (Scranton), president of the chapter. Joining Shrive as Uplifting Athlete officers are: vice president - senior tackle Adam Gress (West Mifflin, Pa.); head of operations - senior center Ty Howle (Wake Forest, N.C.); secretary - sophomore cornerback Da'Quan Davis (Baltimore) and fundraising chairman - freshman tight end Adam Breneman (Camp Hill).

To help the Nittany Lion Football Student-Athletes reach their goal of a cumulative total of $1 million raised after the 2013 Lift For Life, fans can visit the team donation page at: http://www.upliftingathletes.org. Fans also can send checks made out to Uplifting Athletes and send to: Deloris Brobeck, Penn State Football Academic Center, Lasch Football Building, University Park, PA 16802.